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EIA Cycle

What is Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)?

EIA means the process and procedure of evaluating and predicting the likely environmental impacts of a proposed activity.

What is the purpose of EIA?

1. To prevent or minimise

EIA is applied primarily to prevent or minimise the adverse effect of major development proposals. It is also used as a planning tool to promote sustainable development by integrating environmental considerations into a wide range of proposed actions;

2. To improve

It is a procedural mechanism which provides information that can be used to improve the quality of decision making;

3. To guide

EIA guides planners and developers on issues of location, design, size and helps provide alternative solutions;

4. To participate

It provides an opportunity for interested and affected parties to participate in the planning phase of the development activities;

5. To budget

EIA helps developers to budget upfront for resources such as money, time and human to facilitate smooth implementation of the projects rather than being caught unaware by unforeseen impacts that may have repercussions on the overall project delivery.

Requirements to undertake an EIA

All persons who wish to undertake or implement an activity prescribed under section 3 of the Environmental Assessment (EA) Act Cap 65:07 shall:

Apply to a licensing authority for authorization to undertake such activity and that authorization should be issued;

Environmental Assessment Act Cap 65:07

The environmental impact of the proposed activity should be fully taken onto account I accordance with the provision of the Environmental Assessment Act Cap 65:07

Important Steps in the EIA Process

 

 

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Important Steps in the EIA Process

This is the initial stage of the EIA process where the developer submits a project brief to the DEA for screening to determine whether a detailed EIA is required before implementation of the proposed development.

The aim of the scoping exercise is to determine the detail and extent of the EIA Study. This stage is marked by review of the desktop studies, field investigations as well as extensive public participation of interested and affected parties to solicit their view and concerns.

This stage identifies, categorizes and evaluates impacts and ensures that they are critically considered and suggests how the impact can be mitigated.

These are implementation tools that serve to translate suggested mitigation measures into specific actions that are easier to carry and monitor.

DEA reviews the EIA with other technical Government institutions. At this stage the review team assures comprehensiveness and quality of information in the EIA report. The reviewer makes a decision of whether to approve or disapprove the report based on whether it meets all the requirements or not.

Monitoring provides information that aids impact management while auditing is done to verify whether or not the conditions of approval have been implemented, test accuracy of impact prediction and effectiveness of the mitigation measures.

Facts about Environmental Assessment (EA) Act Cap 65:07

EA is a tool required for sustainable development.

Section 3 (3)

Section 3 (3): Powers of exemption by the Minister of Environment, Wildlife and Natural Resources; caters for emergency situations/projects which would otherwise require a detailed EIA.

Section 6 (5)

Competent Authority may at its own discretion requests for Environmental Management Plans.

Section 72

Any person who contravenes the provisions of this Act for which no penalty has been [provided and convicted is liable to a fine not exceeding P50,000.00, or to a term of imprisonment not exceeding two years or both.

Section 4 (1)

Implementation of a prescribed activity without authorization is an offence which attracts a fine not exceeding P100,00.00, or term of imprisonment not exceeding 5 years or both.

Section 64 (1)

A practitioner shall not undertake an environmental assessment where their engagement is the consultancy may give rise to conflict of interest.

Section 72

Provisions of Act do not apply to activities implemented by state security organs where national security may be compromised.

OTHER IMPORTANT SECTIONS

Section 13

Establishment of an Appeals Committee

Section 16

Transfer of Authorisation

Section 14

Provides for Validity of an authorisation

Section 15

The Competent Authority may revoke or modify an authorization where the developer fails to comply with the conditions of authorisation.

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